Stigma Surrounding Suicide

Imagine waking up one day and not wanting to live. Losing sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. Imagine misery so dark and so strong that it envelopes you and grips you tightly; so much so that you decide to euthanize yourself. Imagine deciding that you want to cease existing. That's being suicidal.

The stigma surrounding suicide is harmful and toxic, not only to those with suicidal thoughts but also to survivors, family members and the society as a whole. It stems from misunderstanding, ignorance, fear, politics, religion, society, prejudice and more.

Suicide has long been equated to a crime. In fact criminal language associated with the act still exists in our vocabulary. The phrase "committing suicide" in itself compares the act to committing homicide or patricide and is regarded as "self-murder". The now decriminalized Article 309 of the IPC, criminalized attempted suicide and the victim was subjected to a jail sentence. As recently as May 2019, a man was detained for his suicide attempt. In Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and even the Jewish holy text, those that commit suicide are considered eternally damned. They are declared sinners because their life "belongs" to god and by doing so they are defying his will and taking his work into their own hands.

Those that commit suicide are considered selfish, cowardly, and attention-seeking. These stereotypes, false rumors and stigma have the following consequences:

1) it prevents a victim of mental illness or someone who has attempted suicide from making a healthy recovery

2) according to a study conducted by the British journal of psychiatry, 83% of people were conscious of the stigma due to which they had difficulty seeking help

3) treatment outcomes were poorer

4) negatively damaged the victims perception of themselves and they began to believe the stereotypes about them are true

5) physicians, healthcare specialists, emergency care personnel and nursing staff have dismissing attitudes about them

6) Fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities or trouble finding housing

7) Bullying, physical violence or harassment

8)Health insurance doesn't adequately cover your treatment

9)The belief that you'll never succeed at certain challenges or that you can't improve your situation

As a society, we need to stand together to support those with mental illnesses. We need to acknowledge the fact that nearly 1 million people die of suicide and in the United States alone about 1.4 million people attempt suicide every year. It's about time that suicide and mental illness are destigmatized and sufferers can seek the help they need and deserve.

Here's what you can do about it:

1) encourage the thought process that physical illness (diabetes for example) and mental illness have no difference 

2) talk openly about your emotions or mental illness to normalize the conversation around it and to encourage those who need the emotional outlet to do the same

3) educate yourself on issues, signs, ways to help, etc.

4) ensure no self-stigma and try being more open-minded

5) be kind and compassionate to everyone and accept diversity and differences

6) examine your beliefs and practices.

7) voice your opinions and beliefs. Don't be shy to correct media or your peers.

8) encourage seeking help

Written by: Katyayani Nath